Chain-release for logging-cars.



J. DODD.

CHAIN RELEASE FOR LOGGING CARS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1912.

1,081,371. Patented Dec. 16,1913.

Attorneys JOHN DODD, OF MERRYVILLE, LOUISIANA.

CHAIN-RELEASE FOR LOGGING-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Doc. .16, 19

Application filed November 4, 1912. Serial No. 729,517.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN Donn, a citlzen of the United States, residing at Merryville in the parish of Calcasieu and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Chain-Release for Logging-Cars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for securing one end of a log holding chain such as used in connection with logging cars, one of the objects of the invention being to pro vide a novel form of latch adapted to en gage the chain and which is provided with means operable from one side of the car whereby the chain is released to allow the logs to drop from the other side of the car.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will not become caught in the chain but which will positively release it at the time desired so that the logs will be freed.

Another object is to provide a latch of this character which is simple in construction and which can be applied readily to logging and other cars new in use.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings :-Figure l is an elevation of a car having the present improvements combined therewith. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the latch and its controlling means. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the latch. Fig. 4 is an end View showing a modified arrangement of latch.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates the thills of the logging car and 2 designates the cross timbers on which the logs are adapted to be supported. One or more log holding chains 3 are secured to the cross timbers 2 at one side of the car and these chains are sufliciently long to extend over the logs A and to hang down from the other side of the ear. The free end of each chain is adapted to be engaged by a latch such as constitutes the present invention.

shaft so as to rotate therewith. Extending radially from the sleeve 6 are three spaced fingers 7 preferably slightly curved from end to end, these fingers being so arranged as to receive a chain link between two of them.

A collar 8 is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 5 and has an arm 9 extending radially therefrom. This arm is pivotally engaged by one end of an actuating bar 10 which extends transversely under the car and is supported within a holding bracket 11 depending from the car adjacent that side remote from the latch shaft 5. Bar 10 is provided with an extension 12 forming a shoulder which is adapted normally to engage the bracket 11 so as to hold the bar against longitudinal movement in one direction. The parts are so arranged and proportioned that, when projection 12 is in engagement with bracket 11 as shown in Fig. 1, the fingers 7 are extended downwardly so that, should a chain be engaged thereby, it will be held against accidental detachment therefrom.

In using the device logs are first placed on the timbers 2 after which a chain 3 is eX- tended over them and with its free end hanging downwardly. This free end is placed in engagement with and between the lingers 7 after which the bar 10 is pulled longitudinally so as thus to cause the fingers to swing downwardly and inwardly, thereby pulling on the chain. This movement of the bar will be suliicient to bring the projection 12 into engagement with the bracket 11. Additional logs can then be piled on the chain so as to draw it taut. With the parts thus arranged, it will be seen thatthe logs will be held securely against displacement on the car. When it is desired to release the logs, the bar 10 is swung upwardly so as to become disengaged from bracket 11. As the chain 3 is taut and is pulling constantly on the fingers 7, it will be seen that, as soon as the bar is thus raised, the fingers 7 will swing outwardly and upwardly so that the chain will slip off of them. At the same time arm 9 will swing downwardly. As the latch is located under the timber 2 and it is necessary for the chain 3 to be swung inwardly under the timber in order to engage the fingers, it will be apparent that, as soon as the latch is released in the manner described, the chain will not only pull otf of the fingers in the manner set forth, but will also gravitate away from them and will not, therefore, be liable to become hung on the fingers and thus interfere with the discharge of the logs from the car. As the operator is located at that side of the car remote from the latch, it will be seen that he is not liable to injury during the release of the logs.

Instead of placing the latch upon the lower surface of one of the cross timbers, it can be attached to one side of one of the thills 1, as shown in Fig. 4L. The operation of the device is the same, however, whether it be in one or the other of the positions shown.

By providing three fingers upon the sleeve 6, two chains can be brought into engage- 1 ment with the fingers it so desired, one chain 1 Copies-oi this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the being located at each side of the middle finger 7.

hat is claimed is A chain holding device including a member mounted for rotation, a series of spaced lingers radiating therefrom and normally extending downwardly, an arm revoluble with said member, an actuating bar pivotally connected to the arm, a bracket, and means on the bar for engaging the bracket to hold said member and arm against rotation and with the fingers extending downwardly in chain engaging position, said bar, when disengaged from the bracket, constituting means for rotating said member to swing the fingers upwardly to release the chain.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN DODD.

Witnesses B. H. CARROLL, J. S. DENOUGH.

- Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

